I have some old favorites and a few new discoveries to share this week. Between these Friday Favorites posts, I’m also publishing several Mexican recipes to help you prepare for Cinco de Mayo. After that come Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, school graduations, and Father’s Day — so many celebrations and plenty to plan in the coming weeks!
Jem Raw Organics Sprouted Nut Butters
You probably already have several nut butters you love—personally I have many—but Jem Raw Organics has recently become a favorite. Their sprouted, organic, raw nut butters are incredibly creamy, naturally sweet, and easy to digest thanks to the sprouting process. The line includes four distinct flavors inspired by superfoods: Cinnamon Maca Almond Butter, Superberry Maqui Camu Almond Butter, Hazelnut Cacao, and Coconut Cardamom Almond Butter. Each one has its own appeal; in our house the Cinnamon Maca is the unanimous favorite, though the others are equally delicious.
I especially enjoy the Coconut Cardamom on smoothie bowls because the coconut firms up in the cold and creates a delightfully shell-like texture. The Superberry is great on oatmeal and the Cinnamon Maca makes a simple slice of toast feel decadent. I bought all four jars and have heard they’ll soon add a cashew butter to the lineup.
Jem’s nut butters are pricier than mass-market brands, but they save you the many hours required to soak, sprout, and grind nuts at home. I buy the 16-ounce jars—the best value I’ve found is from Thrive Market—while smaller sizes sometimes appear at natural food stores. Because they’re so good, keep them tucked toward the back of the pantry if you don’t want to share.
Beyond Yoga Salt and Pepper Stretch Capri Leggings
After indulging in delicious nut butter, I like to move my body regularly. My go-to workout outfit is a pair of stretch yoga pants and a simple cami. Tops are usually straightforward, but finding the right pants can be a different story. When I find a pair that fits perfectly, is very comfortable, and also looks great, I’ll happily take them in every color.
The Salt and Pepper Stretch Capri Leggings from Beyond Yoga are my current favorites. They’re exceptionally soft, fit like a glove, and offer the right balance of compression and stretch. The higher waistband smooths and supports the midsection, which I prefer to leggings that sit below the waist. I’ve ordered multiple colors and will likely add more as they restock. These feel like the perfect everyday yoga pants.
Microplane Graters
I avoid single-use kitchen gadgets and focus on tools that genuinely simplify cooking. Microplane graters are one of those essential tools I use all the time. They come in several grating styles and levels of coarseness. I keep a rasp grater for zesting citrus and nutmeg and a coarse grater for hard cheeses, chocolate, ginger, and garlic.
My Microplanes have lasted more than a decade and remain sharp. They take up little space, and while they’re dishwasher safe, I recommend washing them by hand right after use so bits of zest or cheese don’t dry into the teeth. Microplanes are affordable and widely available at kitchen stores and online retailers.
Seasonal Produce: Sweet Peas
One of the first things I think of when spring produce appears is peas. Fresh green English peas—also called shell peas or garden peas—have recently started showing up at farmers markets. Unlike sugar snap or snow peas, you shell English peas before eating them. Shelling takes a bit of time, and if you can’t relax into it, frozen peas are an excellent, convenient option that retain great flavor and texture.
When truly fresh, English peas are tender and sweet; if they’ve been off the vine too long they can become starchy. Peas are nutrient-dense: they provide vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, iron, folate, B1, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, and are high in fiber. They’re also a surprising source of protein—about 9 grams per cup—hence the rise in pea protein products.
One caution: green peas contain a compound called m-xylohydroquinone, which has been linked to anti-fertility effects, so pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider about consumption.
Try peas in salads, dips, sautés, risottos, and chilled soups. A few recipe ideas include a three-pea sauté, minted sweet pea dip, and pea-and-mint salads—simple preparations that highlight their fresh flavor.
Superfood Spotlight: Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) might not look like a typical superfood, but raw ACV—especially varieties that contain “the mother”—offers a range of potential health benefits. The mother is a cloudy colony of beneficial proteins and pectin formed during fermentation. Unfiltered, unpasteurized vinegars retain this live culture and enzymes, whereas filtered vinegars do not.
Raw ACV contains trace minerals, acetic acid, malic acid, live enzymes, amino acids, and pectin. Many people find it useful for digestion, and some studies suggest acetic acid may support weight management. I use raw ACV diluted in water before meals to help stimulate digestion—about one tablespoon in a large glass of room-temperature or warm water around 15 minutes before eating. Always dilute it; drinking undiluted vinegar can harm tooth enamel and irritate the throat. If the taste is too sharp, add more water but avoid sweetening the drink, which would negate some of its benefits.
Raw apple cider vinegar is also used by people to address heartburn, constipation, and to support healthy gut bacteria. It’s credited with supporting liver detoxification, immune function, and skin pH balance when used sensibly. It’s inexpensive, widely available, and a handy pantry staple worth trying if you’re curious.